Trans Fluid type for 92 535i Auto

[monchichi]

Hello, everyone.
I have 92 535i Auto.
I like to change transmission fluid in order to fix some problem I have with my car.
First of all, is there a dip stick for my car?
And which fluid do you recommend for 92 535i automatic?
I have been searching the forum for 535i but couldn't find it.
I would really appreciate your help.

My problem: When the car is about to stop at the traffic light, there's a clunk from the transmission (suspected noise from final downshifting). It wouldn't happen in sport mode but only economic mode.

[MO525]

Your car is similar to my '93 525.
Meaning....NO DIPSTICK.
Nice, huh?
To check level, the tranny must be at 86-131 degrees F and you pull the fill plug on the pan and see if the fluid is up to the bottom of the plug.
If not, put some more in.
All this with warm fluid and engine running so BE careful!!

The Bentley manual says approx. 3.2 qts. of fluid to do a fluid/filter change.
AND Dexron III is the fluid of choice.

The downshift/stop clunk is interesting but I do not know an answer to that one.

I'm doing a fluid/filter change next on my car.
BMA had a GREAT price on the fluid change kit recently: around $22.
Give 'em a ring.

Good luck!

[Jimmy535i]

I have a 92 535iA with dipstick. You should
have a dipstick. I could be wrong. If you do not
the procedure is a PIA as described by previous poster.

Trans fluid change is pretty easy with vehicles with dipstick.
3.2 quarts of Dextron III and a kit from BMA.

[winfred]

535s have a stick and dextron 3'll do fine

[monchichi]

Thank you all for your help.
One more question. Where is the dip stick? Can you explain to me where it is?
Thank you again.

[Dick Schneiders]

It has a ZF and not the GM that the 1991 to 1995 525i's have. The 1989 and 1990 525i's do have the same tranny. It should have a dipstick.


Your car is similar to my '93 525.
Meaning....NO DIPSTICK.
Nice, huh?
To check level, the tranny must be at 86-131 degrees F and you pull the fill plug on the pan and see if the fluid is up to the bottom of the plug.
If not, put some more in.
All this with warm fluid and engine running so BE careful!!

The Bentley manual says approx. 3.2 qts. of fluid to do a fluid/filter change.
AND Dexron III is the fluid of choice.

The downshift/stop clunk is interesting but I do not know an answer to that one.

I'm doing a fluid/filter change next on my car.
BMA had a GREAT price on the fluid change kit recently: around $22.
Give 'em a ring.

Good luck!

[monchichi]

I have a 92 535iA with dipstick. You should
have a dipstick. I could be wrong. If you do not
the procedure is a PIA as described by previous poster.

Trans fluid change is pretty easy with vehicles with dipstick.
3.2 quarts of Dextron III and a kit from BMA.
Hi Jimmy. What does the dipstick look like? and Where is it?
Does it have a small cap with a triangular drawing?
I am have a hard time locating it.

[monchichi]

What happens if the transmission fluid is overfilled? I just checked the dipstick when the car is cold and the fluid comes above the max mark. Is this going to cause any problem?

[winfred]

you check it after about a 10 mile drive with the motor running and the tranny in neutral, a tad over the line won't hurt, but way too much will foam when it gets whipped up by the clutches and drums, and generally piss off the tranny

[JonE]

monchichi,
My '90 535iA has the small cap with the triangle on it for the tranny dipstick. It was very difficult to remove, actually had my indy remove it and he had trouble at first. He lubed the seal at the top and it is a bit easier now.
Good luck

[winfred]

it pops right off if you rock it the direction of the arrow, otherwise you think you are going to rip the dipstick tube out of the tranny

[Jimmy535i]

The dipstick should be on the left side (driver side) of the engine compartment in the back near the firewall. You need to look for a cap with an arrow on it.
To open or remove the dipstick you need to push the front of the cap forward and then pull up to remove the stick.

You can also look undeneath at the front of the pan (sump) for the transmission.
You should see a tube with a large nut that attaches the tube to the pan.

Follow the tube up to find dipstick.

[JonE]

Good tips, thanks!

[monchichi]

thank you very much